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Introduction |
 The Sierra
of Grazalema is a geologically unique mountain wilderness, just 20 miles from
the historical town of Ronda, in the Malaga province of Andalusia. People come
from all over the world to walk amongst its craggy limestone peaks, deep gorges,
lush river valleys and fortified medieval villages which cling to the hillsides with a
typical Arabic fortress towering above.
The sierra has a unique micro climate, which has enabled the rare Spanish Fir (pinsapo) to survive here since the last ice age,
plus a third of all Spanish plant species and one of Europe's most important colonies of the awe inspiring Griffon Vulture.
The villages of the sierra are the quintessential pueblos blancos with a maze of cobbled streets, pretty flower filled
"plazas" and iron grilled windows. Ronda is a short drive away and makes a great break from walking
by exploring this
historical city which straddles the dramatic El Tajo gorge or maybe visit the Pileta Caves where on a lamp lit
tour, you are guided by a member of the family who discovered the caves and can actually see the cave paintings which
are 27,000 years old! Each village of the sierra has a delicious array of traditional dishes and tapas
for you to try and local handcrafts including ceramics and basket ware. |
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Walking
Itinerary
for the Sierra of Grazalema |
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Day One : Arrival |
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Arrive Malaga or Seville airport, collect hire car and transfer to your hotel in the white village of Grazalema
in the heart of the sierra, which will be your base for the week. |
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Day two : The
Walk of the Griffon Vultures 14km |
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To begin your time in Grazalema and get the feel of the area you can take the famous walk of The Griffon Vultures,
which is a 14km linear walk with views of Grazalema's famous gorges; home to one of
Europe's largest
colonies of these incredible birds. As you walk they circle overhead amidst the high limestone peaks towering
above. There are many bars and restaurants in Grazalema which are
perfect for walking out to in the evening and sitting in the squares, whilst trying
out the local cuisine. |
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Day three : The trail of the Roman Vereda 15km |
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For today you can take a little known walk out from Grazalema along the ancient
paths that surround the village. Starting with the Roman vereda, (original
Roman cobble path) the walk takes you out into the surrounding fields, up into the
sierra and back down through the stunning gorge which is criss-crossed by
ancient mule tracks. |
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Day four : Zahara de la Sierra 20km |
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This is a popular walk which takes you to the neighbouring village of Zahara de
la Sierra which is one of the most stunning white villages of the sierra perched
above a deep blue lake. Again following ancient trails past old watermills and
abandoned cortijos; the scenery is varied and there will time to stop for lunch
in the village square and head back on foot or by bus. |
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Day five : Free day |
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Take a day off from walking and you could either take a day trip into the town
of Ronda or visit the "quirky" Pileta caves where
a member of the family who originally discovered the caves offers guided lamp
lit tours into the caverns
where you can actually see the cave paintings, a feature which is often closed
to the public in many other caves around the world. |
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Day six : The walk of the Libar Valley 17km |
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Another of the great walks of the Sierra Grazalema is that of
the Libar Valley. This 17km linear walk takes you along the flat bottom of the
valley with the craggy limestone peaks and cork woodland towering above you. |
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Day seven :
The trail of the
Pinsapo Pines 16km |
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For your final days walking you will cross the spectacular Palomas pass and walk
through the magical Pinsapo forest whose trees are left over from the last ice
age. After walking through dense forest at the heart of the Grazalema Natural
park you will then descend into the village of Benamahoma for a welcome tapas
break. |
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Day eight : Departure |
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Transfer back to Malaga or Seville Airport for your flight home |
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7 nights accommodation in a traditional rural hotel in the white village of
Grazalema 7 days car hire of a Renault Clio (5 door) type model with air
conditioning and GPS
Detailed walking maps and guidance notes for 5 days walking in
the Sierra of Grazalema
Driving maps and local notes for visits to Ronda, the
white villages and Pileta caves
A comprehensive holiday guide pack sent to your home before
departure
Access to our telephone support line should you need assistance
whilst in Andalucía |
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Thank you for all your help organizing our walking
holiday. The holiday was fantastic, breathtaking, inspiring, scary and
fulfilling. We thank you and wish you well with your future plans |
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| Stephen & Jacqueline Hurst, UK |
| Walking in the Sierra de Grazalema |
| October 2006 |
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| Nicola, we cannot thank you
enough for all the arrangements you made for our walking holiday in
Grazalema - it was superb!!! We adored Ronda too and the hotel was a
dream. We have not stopped talking about our trip since we returned. |
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| Pat Whitchurch Australia |
| Ronda and the Sierra Grazalema |
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April 2006 |
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